“The City's Departments of Streets and Sanitation and Water Management are currently working to remove water off of the Drive,” the Office of Emergency Management and Communications said in a statement. “We are urging motorists to drive with caution and recommending they use an alternate route in the meantime.”

Chicago Police News Affairs said the closures were in effect in the northbound lanes from the 1200 block to the 1500 block of North Lake Shore Drive.

Winds of between 25 mph and 35 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph are expected by early Friday afternoon, according to the NWS, and even stronger winds are likely near Lake Michigan.

As of 9 a.m., O'Hare International Airport canceled more than 300 flights because of windy, rainy and snowy conditions. Delays and cancellations are expected to increase throughout the day. Midway International Airport reported normal operations as of Friday morning.

High Waves Cause Closures on LSD

The evening commute was a nightmare for drivers on Lake Shore Dr. Heavy winds created high waves and caused flooding. Northbound lanes were closed and drivers had to be funneled into a single lane. (Published Friday, Oct. 31, 2014)

NBC 5 weather models show lake-effect rain showers mixing with snow at times, and a few thunderstorms will be possible along the South Shore.